“One in four adults are providing care for a family member.”
Christine Vanlandingham is the CEO of the Region IV Area Agency on Aging in southwest Michigan. She says that the out-of-pocket costs associated with family caregiving stretch far beyond the monetary.
“Family caregivers spend over $5,000 in their caregiving duties, and that doesn’t include their lost workplace productivity. Caregivers are at great risk of depression as well, so there’s a mental health issues and challenges for caregivers.”
Under Governor Whitmer’s Caring for MI Family Tax Credit, Michigan residents would be eligible for up to $5,000 to help offset the costs associated with caring for a sick family member. Vanlandingham explains one way that credit could be used.
“One of the huge benefits and opportunities that we see is when caregivers are able to pay someone to come in and care for their loved ones so that they can take a break.”
Vanlandingham says that family caregivers are the backbone of the nation’s long-term care system.
“They provide more care than any other system combined. So like nursing home care, etcetera, it really is family caregivers who are bearing the brunt.”
Governor Whitmer is expected to provide more details on her plan during her budget presentation to the state legislature on February 7th.
